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LATEST NEWS UPDATES | Where hope wins over poverty -Sudhir Kumar Mishra

Where hope wins over poverty -Sudhir Kumar Mishra

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published Published on Dec 13, 2015   modified Modified on Dec 13, 2015
-The Telegraph

Gaijara (Bundu): There is no approach road to this village of 200 families. Some electricity poles were erected around one and a half years ago, but electrification work remained abandoned. All three hand pumps are defunct since long. The one on the primary school premises is also non-functional. For drinking water, a nearby waterfall is the only option.

The nearest health centre at Taimara village is around 8km away. Although a doctor is usually available on Mondays, there are no medicines. The subdivisional hospital is a good 20km away.

Forget Maoists' poll boycott diktat, residents of Naxalite-hit Gaijara village, located around 50km from the state capital under Baruhatu panchayat of Bundu block, Ranchi district, had several other reasons to not vote today.

But Gaijara village, where most residents are unlettered, chose to do the opposite.

Well aware of their Constitutional duties and encouraged by the fact that they got a poll booth for the first time ever, residents ignored the Maoists' boycott call to vote in the final phase of panchayat polls today.

"For the first time, elections are being held right here in the village. Earlier, we had to go to the polling cluster in Changi panchayat 8km away because of the Naxalite threat. But the situation is calmer now as sustained combing operations have pushed the rebels and criminals to a tight corner," said Jivlal Singh Munda, headmaster of the local government-run primary school that has only 14 students.

"Voting is our fundamental right. Things will definitely change for the better in the coming days," hoped fellow villager Nimia Patar while his wife Vidin Patar nodded while dragging their bicycle back home from the booth.

Till 11.22am, 238 of 404 had voted.

This time, Baruhatu panchayat is witnessing a tight contest among 13 mukhiya candidates and eight contestants for the post of zilla parishad member. The village has two tolas - upari (upper) and nichli (lower). Those residing at nichli tola are at an advantage when it comes to making the best use of rainwater.

But a poor monsoon this year has dealt a blow to most villagers dependent on farming.

"The area lacks irrigation facilities. Our fields are parched. During festivals and marriage seasons, we work on tent houses and get some money. Rest of the time, we roam around in the village," said Glowahir, who like fellow villagers Budhanlal Munda and Vinod Munda, are matriculates.

But they abandoned studies after failing in the intermediate examinations a few years ago. Working as labourers in others' fields is not dignified enough. And without any skill development training, finding jobs in cities is very difficult for them.

Fourteen-year-old Shukri Kumari has never been to school. She is neither aware of the Right to Education Act nor the latest initiatives for women's empowerment, but knows about the importance of education.

"All through the day, I am busy cooking and taking care of my younger siblings. But, I want my brothers and sisters to go to school and college," she said coyly.

Etwa Pahan of nichli tola, who was threshing rice grains from hay stocks, declared they had left their fate to the Almighty.

"We are illiterates and know nothing about the outside world. We have to live here. God is there to take care of us," he said when asked who helped them if someone fell at night and got hurt.

But more than God, Gaijara needs a benign human face to usher in development as rightly pointed out by a policeman posted at the polling booth.

"These people are helpless. Their plight is sure to move someone to do what Mahatma Gandhi did for the indigo workers of Champaran (Bihar) many years ago," he summed up.

The Telegraph, 13 December, 2015, http://www.telegraphindia.com/1151213/jsp/frontpage/story_58195.jsp#.VmzeWL81t_k


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